Ground-stake animal tether

ABSTRACT

A sleeve having a cylindrical opening for snugly rotatably receiving a cylindrically shaped rod with a connector affixed to one end of the rod. The sleeve and rod are telescoped together and the connector extends from the rod and radially outwardly to the plane of the wall of the sleeve for abutting the sleeve and being rotatable over the abutted edge of the sleeve. An animal leash is attachable to the connector for restraining an animal connected to the leash. The sleeve is imbedded to at least the ground elevation, and the rod can be dropped into the sleeve or removed from the sleeve and placed into another sleeve at a different location.

United States Patent Hunter [4:] Apr. 25, 1972 GROUND-STAKE ANIMALTETHER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 72] Inventor: Brian C. Hunter,Crivitz, Wis. 5'4114 229,114 2/1925 Great Britain ..273/34 [22] Filed1970 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery [211 App. NOJ 7 5,973Attorney-Arthur J. l-lansmann [5 7] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl....,' "119/121,273[200,o111k91 sleeve h g a cylindrical p g for Sn 8 y mummy [51]receiving a cylindrically shaped rod with a connector affixed [58] Fieldof ar 19/1 273/35 1 to one end of the rod. The sleeve and rod aretelescoped 273/200 together and the connector extends from the rod andradially outwardly to the plane of the wall of the sleeve for abuttingthe [56] References Cited sleeve and being rotatable over the abuttededge of the sleeve. 7 An animal leash is attachable to the connector forrestraining U ITED STATES PATENTS an animal connected to the leash. Thesleeve is imbedded to at least the ground elevation, and the rod can bedropped into I 79294 M19261 "273/200 R the sleeve or removed from thesleeve and placed into another 12/1942 Nelflen sleeve atadifferentlocation. 2,790,419 4/1957 Sullivan 2,981,230 4/1961 Putnam ..1l9/117 9Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 25 m2 3.658 037 BRIAN C. HUNTER 7TOR/V57 GROUND-STAKE ANIMAL TETHER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tetherstakes are very commonly known in the art, and such stakes exist in manydifferent forms. Thesestakes are commonly arranged with several parts,one of which is imbedded in the ground by being driven into the ground,and the other parts maybe telescoped, rotatable, and otherwise movableand associated with the ground imbedded part. The part of the stakeextending above the ground then commonly has a leash attached to it. Thepurpose of these ground stakes is to secure a leash and thereby restrainthe animal, and the multiple-part stakes are arranged so that the leashwill not become entangled with the stake'but instead it will be able tobe pulled in circular patterns around the stake and yet not becometangled or restricted by the stake.

These prior art ground stakes are generally of a complicated andexpensive structure, and thesestakes are also inadequate in the functionof being sturdy and secure in position and in the function of being inthe way when the lawn is to be mowed, or when the stake is not in usefor its intended purpose. Still further, the prior art stakes arearranged so that they must either be unduly large or specially imbeddedin order to make them adequately secure in their restraining function.

Accordingly, it is the general purpose of the present invention toprovide a ground-stake tether device which overcomes the aforementionedproblems and which results in advantages and'in conveniences, incontrast to the aforementioned prior art.

Morespecifically, it is an object of this invention to'provide aground-stake tether device which is of a minimum size, minimum expense,minimum number of parts, minimum manufacturing requirements, minimuminstallation and maintenance requirements, but which provides a sturdyand completely secure restraint for the tethered animal.

In accomplishing the aforementioned objects, the'device of thisinvention is of a minimum length to provide the maximum anchoringsturdiness and the device is imbedded into the ground at the groundelevation with respect to the sleeve portion of the device, and thetelescoping rod portion of the device is readily removable from thesleeve portion so that the device will-not bein the way when it is notin use. In this instance, the lawn may be mowed, the device will not behazardous for tripping people and the device will not be available fortheft and any unsightliness when it is not in use.

Still further, it is an object of this invention to provide the devicementioned and to do so in a system where thedevice can be arranged'sothat the anchor point of 'the tethering can be readily and easilylocated at more than one location'in the yard. in this manner, theanimal canbe placed in any desired location in the yard, and theselection and placement can be readily and easily obtained simply bypicking up the telescoped rod portion anddropping it into a second orthird sleeve portion already located and imbedded in another location inthe ground.

Still further, it is an object of this inventionto'provide aground-stake tether device which provides maximum reliability inassuring that the leash or like chain will not become entangled in theanchor portion of the device, even though the leash is dragged aroundthe device in a circular fashion which would normally entangle the leashwith the stake or anchor portion of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 isa longitudinal sectional viewof the device shown imbedded in the ground.

FIG. 2 isa side elevational view of the center or rod portion ofthedevice shown in FIG. 1. I

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1, and withanother sleeve portion shown therewith on a portion of the ground. I p

FIG. 4 isa sectional view taken on the line 4-"4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 'OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The drawings show thedevice to include the'sleeve portion 10 and'the centralor rod portion 11which snugly telescopes within the sleeve portion 10. For this purpose,the sleeve 10 presents a cylindrical opening 12 extending the length ofthe sleeve 10 except forthe lower wedge point 13 on the sleeve 10. Thewedge, point 13 provides a 'means for driving the sleeve 10 intothe'ground to preferably at least the elevation of the ground designatedG. That is, the sleeve upperedge 14 is shown at the g'round'level G, andtherefore, when the rod 11 is removed from-the sleeve 10, the ground canbe mowed, and

there'is no obstacle remaining on the ground.

Thus the rod '11 is shown to becylindrically shaped and is snuglyrotatably disposed in the sleeve circular opening 12. Further, the rod11 is 'shown' to be of'a length at least inches less than the-length ofthe sleeve 10. Therefore, any dirt or debris which may enter the sleeve10 will simply fall to the bottom of the sle'evenear the lower wedgepoint 13 and will not interfere with the insertion and removal of therod 11.

A connector, shown to be a hook 16, is affixed to the rod upper endl7 bymeans of threads 18 on the hook 16, and the hook threaded end 18 isaxially disposed on the rod upper end 17. Finally, a leash 19, having aconventional releaseable'hook 21, is secured with the hook 16 so that ananimal can be restrained by the'lea sh l9 at the unshown far end of theleash It will al'so' be noted that the hook 16 has a smooth and circularexterior surface-designated 22, and this surface abuts the smooth andcircular surface-23 of the sleeve upper edge 14. That is, the surface 23is-sho'wn to be a beveled surface, and the surfaces 2 2 and23are'inabutmentto'limit the penetration of the rod 11 into the sleeve 10 butto-permit easy-rotation of the rod ll'relative to the sle'evelO. Thatis, the leash -19 can be dragged in a circular patharou'nd the hook 16but yet the leash 19 will not *become tangled with the stake devicedescribed, and particularly theleash 19 will not become tangled with thehook 16. Therefore, it 'willbe seen and understood that the hook 16is ofa size and extent that it projects into the plane of the wall of thesleeve 10 and thus abuts the sleeve edge 23, as described,'a'nd therebyrelates the sleeve 10 and rod 11 and also permits the rotationdescribed. Further, it

should be appreciated that the leash hook 21 could be pulled "jacentwall of the sleeve 10. At this low or deep point in the ground, thesleeve 10 itself is most sturdy, so the entire stake is sturdy. Also, itwill be readily appreciated that one-need only pickup the rod llbythe'hook 16, and the leash l9-can then be'used in a different manner orit can be readily placed in a different location. Therefore, FIG. 3shows a second sleeve, which is designated 26, and this sleeve is in asecond location in the ground. The sleeve 26 is not shown with the rod11,

since only one rod 11 would be required, and that rod is al-' readyshown on the left-hand portion of FIG. 3. As mentioned, the rod 11 couldbe removed from the sleeve on the left-hand portion and positioned inthe sleeve 26 on the right-hand portion'of FIG. 3. This would permitrelocating the anchoring of the leash 19, as is desirable.

Thus, since the rod 11 is snugly telescoped within the sleeve 10, and,since the sleeve is most likely to be imbedded into the ground by beingdriven therein, the sleeve wedge point 13 is provided and closes off thelower end of the sleeve so that the ground will not enter the sleeve andinterfere with the location of the rod 11 inside the sleeve 10. Also,while FIG. 1 shows that the hook 16 is in overlying and thereforeabutting contact with the sleeve bevel surface 23 at diametricallyopposite sides of the bevel surface 23, it should be understood that thehook 16 could contact the bevel surface 23 at only one location, andstill fully retain the function of having the rod 11 rotatablewithin thesleeve 10, for thepurpose mentioned. Also, while only a minimum numberof parts are required, and such parts are of no complexity, it shouldstill be recognized that a completely sturdy and completely reliabletether device is provided, and one which will avoid the tangling of theleash and one which can be easily dispensed with when it is not to beused in its restraining function and only sleeve 10 will remain in theground but will not at all be in the way.

It is important that the device be stable in the ground. Thus, thesleeve 10 should be secure, even though there are jerking forces appliedto the rod 11 through the tie-on or leash 19. Horizontal forces on thechain 19 will not affect the fixed position of the sleeve 10 which fullyresists the horizontal forces. Further, a pull on the chain 19 with aslightly upward component can lift the rod 11 up in the sleeve 10.However, it is important to note that any upward force on the rod 11will not be transmitted to the sleeve 10 which, therefore, remainsfirmly imbedded.

Still further, when the upward force is relieved in the rod 11, the rod11 quickly falls in the sleeve 10 to securely reseat itself to theposition shown. The rod 11 is a solid bar and is of a weight greaterthan the weight of the sleeve 10 so the rod 11 freely and quickly fallsin the sleeve 10. That is, the rod 11 is a weight member for full axialmovement in the sleeve 10 and for rapid free fall therein. In oneacceptable device, the sleeve 10 and rod 11 are of a cold rolled steel,and the sleeve weighs one pound and the rod weighs one and one-halfpounds. In the free-fall position shown, which is the normal operatingposition of the device, the hook 16 is at the ground level, as shown.

What is claimed is:

l. A ground-stake animal tether device, comprising a ground engagingsleeve having a cylindrical interior axially uprightly disposed whensaid sleeve is imbedded into the ground with the upper edge of saidsleeve being at ground elevation, a cylindrical rod snugly and rotatablydisposed in said cylindrical interior of said sleeve and being of alength at least one half that of the sleeve but less than the length ofsaid sleeve, and a leash connector affixed to one end of said rod andbeing of a size sufficient to extend from said rod to a location in theplane of the wall of said sleeve and into abutment with the upper edgeof said sleeve tothereby have said connector project beyond said sleeve,said sleeve upper edge and said connector having mutually abuttablesmooth surfaces for rotation of said rod and said connector relative tosaid sleeve. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end ofsaid sleeve opposite said upper edge is closed for penetration of theground free of having dirt enter said sleeve when said sleeve is driveninto the ground, and said rod being of a length at least inches lessthen the length of said sleeve to have the end of said rod opposite saidone end spaced away from the closed end of said sleeve for collection ofdirt in said sleeve at the length thereof beyond said rod.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, including two of said sleevesimbedded at different locations in the ground and at the elevation ofthe ground, as claimed in claim 1, for selective positioning of said rodin either of said two sleeves to tether at either of the two locations.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper edge of saidsleeve is beveled inwardly toward the central axis of said sleeve, andsaid connector is a hook havin an eyelet with a curvature presentlng itssurface parallel to t e bevel on said sleeve in providing said abuttablesurfaces.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector has aneyelet threaded into said one end of said rod to be affixed thereto, andsaid connector has a curvature extending from said rod to the locationof abutment with said upper edge of said sleeve.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector is a hookhaving a circular eyelet extending from said rod in a continuous circleof a diameter large enough to present said abuttable surface'to saidsleeve upper edge, said diameter of said circular eyelet being onlyslightly greater than the diameter of said cylindrical interior andbeing partly disposed within said cylindrical interior, the remainder ofsaid circular eyelet .extending out of said cylindrical interior in alow profile for sliding of a leash over the extending circumference ofthe top of said remainder when the leash is pulled diametrically acrosssaid eyelet.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve in its upperportion in the axially vertical position in the ground is of one uniforminner diameter at said cylindrical interior, said rod being a solidcylindrical bar and being freely slidable in said cylindrical interiorfor free fall therein to the full length of said rod and downwardly tothe limit of abutment of said abuttable surfaces.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rod is freely axiallymovable in said sleeve for axial withdrawal of said rod from said sleevefree of axial force on said sleeve.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rod is a solid bar ofa weight greater than the weight of said sleeve for rapid and free fallof said rod in said sleeve.

1. A ground-stake animal tether device, comprising a ground engagingsleeve having a cylindrical interior axially uprightly disposed whensaid sleeve is imbedded into the ground with the upper edge of saidsleeve being at ground elevation, a cylindrical rod snugly and rotatablydisposed in said cylindrical interior of said sleeve and being of alength at least one - half that of the sleeve but less than the lengthof said sleeve, and a leash connector affixed to one end of said rod andbeing of a size sufficient to extend from said rod to a locaTion in theplane of the wall of said sleeve and into abutment with the upper edgeof said sleeve to thereby have said connector project beyond saidsleeve, said sleeve upper edge and said connector having mutuallyabuttable smooth surfaces for rotation of said rod and said connectorrelative to said sleeve.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe end of said sleeve opposite said upper edge is closed forpenetration of the ground free of having dirt enter said sleeve whensaid sleeve is driven into the ground, and said rod being of a length atleast inches less then the length of said sleeve to have the end of saidrod opposite said one end spaced away from the closed end of said sleevefor collection of dirt in said sleeve at the length thereof beyond saidrod.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, including two of said sleevesimbedded at different locations in the ground and at the elevation ofthe ground, as claimed in claim 1, for selective positioning of said rodin either of said two sleeves to tether at either of the two locations.4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper edge of saidsleeve is beveled inwardly toward the central axis of said sleeve, andsaid connector is a hook having an eyelet with a curvature presentingits surface parallel to the bevel on said sleeve in providing saidabuttable surfaces.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidconnector has an eyelet threaded into said one end of said rod to beaffixed thereto, and said connector has a curvature extending from saidrod to the location of abutment with said upper edge of said sleeve. 6.The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connector is a hookhaving a circular eyelet extending from said rod in a continuous circleof a diameter large enough to present said abuttable surface to saidsleeve upper edge, said diameter of said circular eyelet being onlyslightly greater than the diameter of said cylindrical interior andbeing partly disposed within said cylindrical interior, the remainder ofsaid circular eyelet extending out of said cylindrical interior in a lowprofile for sliding of a leash over the extending circumference of thetop of said remainder when the leash is pulled diametrically across saideyelet.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve in itsupper portion in the axially vertical position in the ground is of oneuniform inner diameter at said cylindrical interior, said rod being asolid cylindrical bar and being freely slidable in said cylindricalinterior for free fall therein to the full length of said rod anddownwardly to the limit of abutment of said abuttable surfaces.
 8. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rod is freely axially movablein said sleeve for axial withdrawal of said rod from said sleeve free ofaxial force on said sleeve.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, whereinsaid rod is a solid bar of a weight greater than the weight of saidsleeve for rapid and free fall of said rod in said sleeve.